Senior Cat Care: The Crucial Role of Routine Urine Checks For Health and Lower Vet Bills

Senior Cat Care: The Crucial Role of Routine Urine Checks For Health and Lower Vet Bills

Many cat owners unfortunately adopt a reactive approach to their feline companions' health, addressing issues only when they are noticeably sick or injured. However, cats are notorious for hiding injuries and discomfort as a defense mechanism. Without testing it is not uncommon for issues to go undetected until the damage is serious and costly.

As cats age, a proactive stance becomes increasingly vital. Aging cats are susceptible to various health concerns, and waiting for visible symptoms can lead to unnecessary pain and heightened veterinary expenses. Embracing proactive measures, such as routine urine checks, is the difference taken by great parents. This is because these tests allow you to stay ahead of potential health issues, identifying and addressing them before they escalate. This preventive approach not only ensures the well-being and comfort of aging cats but also helps cat owners avoid the financial strain associated with treating advanced or chronic conditions. By incorporating regular urine checks into their healthcare routine, cat owners can contribute to a longer, healthier, and more enjoyable life for their senior feline companions.

Understanding the Aging Process in Cats:

Similar to humans, cats undergo physiological changes as they age, making them more susceptible to various health issues such as kidney disease, diabetes, and urinary tract problems. The challenge lies in detecting these conditions early, underscoring the importance of routine urine checks as a key component of proactive healthcare.

1 in 3 cats suffer from kidney disease during their lifetime.(1) Kidney disease is one of the top causes of suffering and even death in pets because of the difficulty in detecting it. Without testing it is not uncommon for kidney issues to go undetected until serious and permanent damage is done to your cat. 

Early Detection of Health Issues:

Routine urine checks play a pivotal role in identifying potential health issues in their initial stages, facilitating prompt intervention and management. Silent progression of conditions like kidney disease can cause irreversible damage. By closely monitoring urine for changes in color, consistency, or the presence of blood, veterinarians can pinpoint potential problems before they escalate. 

Alleviating Pain and Discomfort:

Senior cats are adept at concealing signs of discomfort or illness, making it challenging for pet owners to discern when their feline companions are unwell. Undetected urinary issues can result in pain and discomfort, negatively impacting the overall well-being of senior cats. Routine urine checks offer a non-invasive method of health monitoring, ensuring that any underlying problems are addressed early on, thereby minimizing discomfort.

Risk Of Not Checking:

If left unchecked, urine & kidney conditions can lead to serious health problems. For instance, untreated UTIs can cause lower urinary tract dysfunction, kidney or bladder stones, blood poisoning, and even kidney infection. The cost of surgery to treat conditions like bladder & kidney stones or UTIs can be substantial, both financially and emotionally. 

For example, treatment without surgery in an average-sized cat may cost between $500 and $900. A cystotomy (bladder surgery) or nephrotomy (kidney surgery) to remove stones may cost $1500 or more.(2) 

Preventive care not only contributes to the well-being of senior cats but also serves as a prudent financial strategy for their caregivers. By comparison, routine health screens, including urinalysis, are a fraction of the cost and enable you to identify issues early, potentially saving you from hefty medical bills and all the stress associated with surgical procedures. When an area of concern is identified in your pet’s urinalysis, there are often many simple changes you can make immediately. This may include changes to your pet’s diet, encouraging better drinking habits, or in some cases medication. It is normal for veterinarians to request multiple urine tests to see how your pet is responding to changes they have suggested. 

Managing Chronic Conditions:

For senior cats with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease, routine urine checks become even more crucial. You may have seen advertisements for special cat litter that will change color depending on your cat’s urine as a way to check their health. Consistent monitoring of urine parameters empowers veterinarians to adjust treatment plans and medications as necessary, ensuring optimal management of the cat's health. This proactive approach not only enhances the cat's quality of life but can also extend their lifespan.

The gold standard for understanding urine health in veterinary medicine is called a urinalysis. This is sometimes combined with blood testing and/or SDMA testing to check for kidney function.

Collecting Urine Samples:

If your vet requires a urine sample during an appointment they may need to put your cat under anesthesia to extract it directly from your cat’s bladder using a needle (cystocentesis). While this is generally a safe and quick process for veterinarians, it is still invasive and comes with additional costs.

Fortunately, Petlio offers convenient Urine Screening Kits that include easy collection tools. Our special hydrophobic cat litter allows urine to pool on top for easy collection. It is also uniquely designed to be accepted by your cat. 

Here’s all you need to do:

1. Activate your kit.
2. Empty and clean your cat’s litter-box.
3. Poor all packets of the hydrophobic collection sand into your cat’s litter box.
4. Isolate the cat you want to test with the litter until they do their business.
5. Use the eye dropper pipette to fill the urine test tubes.
6. Mail it to our lab with our prepaid shipping.
7. Wait for their results.

     

    That’s all it takes! For more info, check out Petlio - Cat Urine Kit Instructions.

    Conclusion:

    As our cherished feline companions gracefully age, we feel even more responsible for providing them with the best possible care. Routine urine checks for senior cats offer a straightforward yet potent means of detecting potential health issues early, preventing pain, and mitigating costly veterinary bills. By embracing this proactive measure as a fundamental aspect of their healthcare routine, we ensure that our senior cats enjoy a comfortable and contented life in their golden years.

     

    Sources:
    (1) "Advances in Diagnosing and Staging Chronic Kidney Disease in Dogs and Cats." (n.d.): n. pag. IDEXX. Web. 21 Oct. 2015. https://www.idexx.com/files/small-animal-health/solutions/articles/advances-in-diagnosing-kidney-disease.pdf
    (2) “Urine Crystals and Bladder Stones in Cats.” PetCoach, https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/urine-crystals-and-bladder-stones/. Accessed 29 December 2023.
    DISCOVER OUR

    Wellness Essentials

    Shop All
    Fecal Screen for Cats
    $94.99
    Urine Screen for Cats
    $94.99
    Skin + Ear Screen for Cats
    $94.99